Mother vs. Nature

Did you know that, today, scientists are exploring the way music and it's amazing affects can have on brain development?  Songs and lullibies have appeared to be a vital part in child development.  Through simple songs and rhymes, babies can learn to speak, read, think and make connections.  The nature of music helps them gain a sense of trust and compassion for others.  Songs also support culture and provide children with an understanding of the world around them.  Children can also learn new languages easier through song.  One of the most popular collections of songs and rhymes may be credited to Mother Goose, with timeless songs like "Hickory Dickory Dock" and "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star."  However, Mother Goose is a name used to identify many anonymous women who have sung for their babies' throughout history.  It is probably safe to say that women may not have been aware of the science behind songs and how it affects their children; they instinctively gave their young this essential human experience. 

Vocabulary
exploring (verb) - to look at in a careful way
development (noun) - something that grows over a period of time
vital (adjective) - very important
connections (noun) - to join two or more things together
compassion (noun) - a feeling of wanting to help someone
collections (noun) - a group of things
credited (verb) - to say that something is because of someone/something else
anonymous (adjective) - not named or identified
"safe to say" (idiom) - to be sure what you are saying is true
instinctively (adjective) - based on feelings, not on knowledge
essential (adjective) - very important and necessary

Vocabulary Activity
Match the vocabulary words to their meanings.

1.  exploring		a)  a feeling of wanting to help someone
2.  development		b)  to join two or more things together
3.  vital		c)  something that grows over a period of time
4.  connections		d)  very important and necessary
5.  compassion		e)  based on feelings, not on knowledge
6.  collections		f)  to say that something is because of someone/something else
7.  credited		g) a group of things
8.  anonymous		h) very important
9.  "safe to say"		i) to be sure what you are saying is true
10. instinctively		j) To look in a careful way
11. essential		k) not named or identified

Grammar Point
Transition words are used to in writing to help improve the connection of thoughts. There are many transition words that are used to illustrate, compare, emphasize, add to and summarize ideas.  These include words like:  therefore, however, for example, except, finally, and also. 
For example, if you want to let your reader that you are going to say a statement that is opposite of the statement before it you might write:

     Red flowers are pretty, however pink flowers are my favorite.

The word however lets your reader know that you are going to say something opposite of your initial thought.

Grammar Activity 
Write 5 coherent sentences using at least 5 different transition words. 

It's a Bird, It's a Plane... no it's.....

Have you ever wished for a Super Power?  You know, a special power that you have that can make you do things a regular person can't do.  I've always wanted to be invisible. There is something awesome about being able to be places without anyone knowing you are there.  If I had the ability to make myself be unseen, I would be able to listen to conversations between friends; I would be able to hear their deepest, darkest secrets!  But more importantly, I would use my super power to help people.  With my invisibility power I would try to solve crimes, help fight terrorism, and even rescue people from dangerous situations. My super hero name would be Rose MYSTERIOUSO! What super power would you want?  What would you name yourself?

Vocabulary

Super Power (noun) - a special ability that a regular person would not have

invisible (adjective) - to be unseen/ to disappear
ability (noun) - to be able to do something
conversations (noun) - a talk between two people
secrets (noun) -  hidden information
terrorism (noun) - the use of violent acts to hurt/scare people

rescue (verb) - to save someone/something

dangerous (adjective) - likely to cause harm/pain

Vocabulary Activity
Unscramble the vocabulary words below:

1. tybliai 

2. dougernsa 
3. acnsneovisrot 
4.  reuewppossr 
5. emrtrrsoi 
6. resecst 
7. inlisvieb 
8. euresc 

Grammar Point

Punctuation symbols are the marks that we use at the end of sentences (comma, period, question mark) to make it clear to reader that a sentence and/or clause has ended. 

Grammar Exercise

In my blog entry I used many different punctuation marks.  Go through the paragraph and circle all the punctation that I used.  Then I want you to write a paragraph anwering my super power questions, include 4 different punctuation marks in your writing.

A little Rest and Relaxation

 

Last weekend I went with my family to our lakehouse in Pennsylvania.  The lakehouse is in the Poconos, set on a beautiful man made lake, surrounded by breathtaking views of the mountains.  The house is an old log cabin and among its many amenities is an incredible fireplace that is built out of stone.  My children love to help collect the firewood and enjoy competing with each other on getting the biggest log.  In the winter the lake freezes and you are able to walk on it.  This is extremely exciting for my girls because it is not something they get to do everyday.  While at the lakehouse we went sledding, did a nature walk, and played in the snow.  It was numbingly cold so our activities were cut short. We wanted to do something fun indoors but we couldn't think of anything. Finally, after doing some research, we found and indoor water park that had a tidal wave pool, water sports, slides, sprinklers and much more.  My children couldn't wait to go.  When we drove up to the place we could see the water slides from the parking lot.  My girls could hardly wait to go inside.  When the doors opened we could feel a burst of hot air; we felt like we were in the blazing sun and heat! The pools were very refreshing and we had so much fun splashing around. We ran through the silly sprinklers and got soaked by a giant bucket that drenched us with water.   This trip was very relaxing and exciting at the same time. 

Vocabulary
surrounded (verb) - to be on every side

amenities (plural, noun) - something that makes life easier or more pleasant

incredible (adjective) - very good, great

competing (verb) - to try to be better at something than someone else

extremely (adverb) - very great in length/degrees

exciting (adjective) - causing feelings of happiness

numbingly (adverb) - to be unable to feel anything

research (verb) - to collect information about something

blazing (adjective) - very hot/powerful

refreshing (adjective) - making you feel cool

drenched (verb) - to make completely wet

Using the vocabulary words complete the word search below:

H	D	R	E	N	C	H	E	D	G
C	A	L	L	M	I	H	Q	N	U
R	M	A	B	R	F	B	I	D	E
A	E	P	I	A	H	H	Z	X	V
E	N	H	D	V	S	J	C	U	I
S	I	I	E	E	P	I	J	Z	J
E	T	V	R	Y	T	S	U	P	P
R	I	F	C	I	X	A	U	R	C
D	E	D	N	U	O	R	R	U	S
R	S	G	I	R	N	M	T	N	Q

Grammar Point

Adjectives are words we use to describe nouns.  For example we might describe our friend Fred by saying: Fred is an AMAZING person.  Amazing is the adjective.

Grammar Activity

In my vacation story I used many adjectives to describe the different things that I saw, did, and/or visited.   Go back and circle all the adjectives that I used. Think of 5 adjectives of your own and use them in sentences.

Dining Out - I go, you go, we all ESCARGOT

One of my favorite things to do is to try new foods.  I am not a daredevil but when it comes to trying different types of foods, I'm always ready for the challenge.  It doesn't matter how strange or exotic the food may be, I am always willing to try it.  One of the most unusual foods I've ever eaten was escargot (pronounced ES-CAR-GO). Escargot is a popular French dish that is made with snails.  The snails are removed from their shells, and cooked (usually with garlic and butter or wine), and then placed back into the shells with the butter and sauce for serving. Special snail tongs (for holding the shell) and snail forks (for extracting the meat) are also given to assist with eating. At first I was very apprehensive to try it because I couln't get the image of a bug out of my head, but I was curious enough to let go and try it.  Suprisingly, I enjoyed the dish and ate all of the escargot.  So as the old saying goes, "Don't knock it till you try!"

Vocabulary

Daredevil (adjective) - a person who is daring

challenge (verb) - a test or competition
tongs (noun) - a sissor like utensil that used to hold something
extracting (verb) - pulling out
assist (verb) - to help
apprehensive (adjective) - a fear that something bad will happen
curious (adjective) - to want to learn more about something
surprisingly (adverb) - unusual
"Don't knock it till you try it" (idiom) - Don't put something down until you have done it yourself.

Grammar Activity
Using the vocabulary words, fill in the sentences below:

1. I used _________ to pick up the hotdog.
2. Julie was _______________ to try the new dance.
3. The dentist was ________________ the boys tooth after he took the xrays.

4. A word bank is used to _________ the student with his vocabulary test.

5. Fred wanted to ______________ Dave to a game of cards.

6. ____________, Jennifer liked the bacon flavored ice cream.

7. I think that my uncle is a ______________ because he likes to skydive.
8. Mike was always __________ of bugs, he loved to learn everything he could about them.

Grammar Point

Contractions are when we combine words together, taking out letters and adding an apostrophe, to create a shortened word that means the same thing. For example, I have becomes I've or Does not becomes Doesn't. 

Grammar Activity
Write a paragraph describing a time when you did something that would make you a "Daredevil."  Try to use 3 different contractions and at least 3 new vocabulary words as well.